Ahead of the 2024/25 Affiliation portal opening in June, please find below key changes and important information that you need to know.

Season Rollover 2024

There will be two periods of system downtime required from 1st June - 5th June, and 1st July - 3rd July. Due to this, Club Affiliation and Player Registration will open for County FA's after the system downtime in June. Once a date has been confirmed, this will be announced via our social media.

Safeguarding Requirements for Affiliation - Key Changes

Open-Aged Clubs & Teams

There has been a significant change to Safeguarding requirements for Open-Aged teams as follows:

• There must be a minimum of one named Club Welfare Officer who has taken the Player Welfare Course. The course is free, and can be found here. Please note that Welfare Officers of disability teams, NLS 1-4 and professional teams do not need to complete the Player Welfare Course.
• All adult team managers/coach(es)/assistant(s) (including medics) must hold the Player Welfare Course.
• Open-Aged teams must accept the relevant Safeguarding Declaration(s) for the club within the portal.
• Should an Open-Aged team have any Youth players registered, or wishes to sign any Youth Players (16/17 years old), the Welfare Officer and the team manager/coach(es)/assistant(s) must hold a valid, Enhanced DBS check.

For further information or clarification on the above as a Open-Aged Club/Team, please contact support@birminghamfa.com. 

Youth Clubs & Teams

To affiliate Youth Teams for the 24/25 season, the following is required:

• All team managers/coach(es)/assistants (including medics) must be named on the Club Portal against each team.
• There must be a minimum of one named manager/coach per team to enable the team affiliation to proceed with the correct requirements.
• All Youth team manager/coach(es)/assistant(s) (including medics) must hold an FA Enhanced DBS Check and an in-date Safeguarding Children qualification or the re-certification if previously completed and expired.
• A Club with Youth teams must have a named Club Welfare Officer that holds an FA Enhanced DBS Check, an in-date Safeguarding Children's course or re-certification, an in-date Welfare Officer workshop and an Online Safeguarding for Committee Members course qualification. 
• Club Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are required to have completed the online Safeguarding for Committee Members course.
• Accept  the relevant Safeguarding Declaration(s) for the club.

Adult Disability Teams

To affiliate adult disability teams for the 24/25 season, the following is required:

• Minimum one named Club Welfare Officer (Adult Disability) that holds an in-date FA Safeguarding Adults course qualification.
• Accept the relevant Safeguarding Declaration(s) for the club.

Changes to Fees

Team Affiliation Fees

Team fees will change for the 2024/25 season from £5.00 to £7.50 per team. 

Youth Personal Accident Insurance

Youth Personal Accident Injury Insurance has incresed from £20.00 to £24.00 per team. This is due to improved cover included in the policy.

Club Affiliation Process for 24/25

The process for affiliation in the Club portal is as below:

1. Check officials and qualifications
2. Check ground data (for training and matches)
3. Adopt the relevant documents
4. Fold old teams
5. Create new teams
6. Enter competitions
7. Check County Cup entries
8. Add the relevant insurance
9. Make payment
10. Complete affiliation

For further support or clarification, please contact support@birminghamfa.com.